Systems Engineer / Systems Integrator – Mission Systems (Junior to Principal)

Rowden Technologies; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Bristol is seeking Systems Engineers and Integrators from junior to principal levels to join their mission-focused team. Candidates will tackle hands-on engineering tasks, directly work on system components, and engage in rapid integration in demanding environments. The company operates a hybrid model, offering competitive salaries ranging from £30,000 to over £85,000 depending on experience and role. A degree in a relevant STEM field and engineering skills are essential. Join a culture valuing flexibility and purpose.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Strong mentorship and learning opportunities

Inclusive company culture

Qualifications

• Experience in systems engineering or integration.
• Hands-on engineering capability with problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills for complex ideas.

Responsibilities

• Work on system components and integration activities.
• Design and deliver robust systems into challenging environments.
• Lead integration tasks and support architecture development.

Skills

Translating user needs and CONOPS into system requirements

Applying systems engineering lifecycles in varied contexts

Ensuring solutions meet safety, security, and environmental standards

Staying adaptable, curious, and hands-on

Education

Degree level qualification in relevant STEM subject

Job description

Systems Engineer / Systems Integrator – Mission Systems (Junior to Principal)

Bristol, Hybrid – BS34 6FE

£35,000 - £95,000

We’re hiring Systems Engineers and Systems Integrators at all levels to join our mission‑focused engineering team in Bristol, UK. These roles suit people who enjoy hands‑on engineering, rapid integration, and delivering robust systems into demanding environments. We operate a hybrid model, typically around three days a week in the office, and welcome applicants within a commutable distance of Bristol.

At Rowden, we design and integrate advanced systems that sense, connect, and protect data in situations where decisions must be made quickly. Our work combines modern engineering practice with high‑performance commercial technology to deliver reliable, mission‑critical solutions.

About the Roles

As we grow, we’re looking to grow our team of engineers who specialise in systems engineering and systems integration. You’ll work across diverse capabilities and tech domains, playing a pivotal role in designing and delivering sophisticated, high‑stakes systems and working closely with colleagues who share a practical, delivery‑driven mindset.

Below is an outline of the levels we’re hiring for.

Junior Systems Engineers and Systems Integrators (Salary: £30,000 - £40,000 dependant on experience)

If you’ve got a couple years of experience and are keen for change, this could be your next step. At Rowden, junior engineers don't just sit on the side lines.

You’ll work directly on system components, build prototypes, and support integration activities. Expect a mix of design, testing, and hands‑on engineering across areas such as sensor integration, tactical networks, and uncrewed systems. You’ll learn quickly and contribute to operational deployments early in your time with us. If you want to learn by doing and make your mark on projects that matter, we’d love to have you on the team.

Mid‑Level Systems Engineers and Systems Integrators (Salary: £40,000 - £55,000 dependant on experience)

If you’re a mid‑level engineer or integrator, you’re ready to deepen your impact and tackle broader technical challenges.

At Rowden, you’ll take ownership of key system elements, lead integration tasks, and support architecture development. You’ll work across disciplines, solve technical issues, and guide junior colleagues. Your role spans design, analysis, integration, and delivery of systems into service, bridging the gap between innovative ideas and robust, real‑world solutions.

Senior Systems Engineers and Systems Integrators (Salary: £55,000 - £70,000 dependant on experience)

If you're an experienced systems engineer or integrator ready to lead and inspire, Rowden offers you the chance to shape the direction of our most complex projects. As a senior, you'll architect end‑to‑end solutions, oversee technical delivery, and provide strategic guidance across multiple programs.

You’ll mentor and develop the next generation of engineers while fostering collaboration with stakeholders at all levels. Your expertise will drive innovation, help navigate ambiguity, and ensure delivery of high‑assurance systems that meet demanding requirements. This is your opportunity to make a lasting impact, both on mission‑critical capabilities and the growth of our engineering culture.

Principal Systems Engineers and Integrators (Salary: £70,000 - £85,000 dependant on experience)

If you're an experienced systems engineer or integrator ready to take on larger technical responsibility, the Principal role lets you own major parts of a programme while remaining deeply hands‑on.

Principals lead the design and delivery of key system elements, drive integration plans, and become the technical go‑to for the area they own. You’ll work closely with users and partners to de‑risk delivery, resolve system issues, and ensure your part of the programme is technically robust. You’ll bring depth in a core area along with solid breadth across the systems engineering V‑cycle.

You’ll mentor engineers, improve ways of working, and raise the technical bar across your projects.

Senior Principal Systems Engineers and Integrators (Salary: £85,000 + dependant on experience)

As a Principal at Rowden, you could be the technical lead for our largest and most ambitious programs, orchestrating solutions across both technical and programmatic boundaries, leading critical, high‑risk areas of development and deployment or spearheading the technical direction of new opportunities alongside our sales team.

You’ll lead the technical strategy for major programmes, support pre‑sales and solution development, and oversee delivery across multiple technical areas. You’ll work with partners and end users, de‑risk complex integration challenges, and champion engineering quality and continuous improvement.

This role is ideal for leaders who thrive on big challenges, have a holistic view of systems, and want to make a direct impact on both customer outcomes and the Rowden engineering community.

Key Skills & Experience

We're looking for engineers who thrive on hands‑on systems design, rapid integration, and real‑world experimentation. Whether you’re early in your career or a seasoned expert, we value broad engineering insight and a questioning, delivery‑focused mindset above all. Key skills, shaped by your experience could include:

• Translating user needs and CONOPS into system requirements
• Applying systems engineering lifecycles in varied contexts
• Designing, building, and deploying systems into operational settings
• Assessing trade‑offs and explaining decisions clearly
• Reviewing technical work and identifying key risks
• Ensuring solutions meet safety, security, and environmental standards
• Communicating complex ideas in plain language
• Staying adaptable, curious, and hands‑on

Highly Desirable Skills and Experience

These are helpful, not essential:

• Degree level qualification (or equivalent experience) in relevant STEM subject.
• Knowledge of Government engineering and procurement.
• Knowledge of Agile development lifecycles and model‑based systems engineering approaches.

Knowledge of one or more of

• SysML, Enterprise Architect
• Tactical networked C4ISR systems
• Autonomous platforms
• Cloud technologies
• Machine learning
• Safety and security assurance

What’s In it for You?

You’ll work with capable colleagues on practical engineering problems that matter. Our culture values clarity, pace, and purposeful decision‑making. We focus on user needs, rely on open communication, and support each other during intense delivery phases.

At Rowden, you’ll gain access to strong mentorship, rapid learning opportunities, and meaningful responsibility. We care about balance as well as performance – purpose and wellbeing go together. Making a real difference for our end users often means embracing periods of heightened activity, where our collective effort and focus are crucial to delivering game‑changing capability to those who need it most. We are proud of the impact we make, but we’re equally committed to ensuring our culture never becomes solely about work. At Rowden, we value purpose and balance: our drive to succeed is matched by our respect for each other’s wellbeing, personal priorities, and the importance of enjoying the journey together.

Our Mission

We’re building the UK's next generation engineering powerhouse, providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience.

At Rowden, we design and integrate advanced systems and products that sense, connect, and protect data in challenging environments where quick decisions are vital. Our solutions use intelligent automation to enhance speed and efficiency and are built to be reliable and straightforward for critical operations in remote or high‑pressure settings.

Headquartered in Bristol (UK), we combine modern engineering methods with cutting‑edge commercial technology to create adaptable, mission‑critical systems. We focus on solving the tough challenges that others overlook, ensuring our customers can operate effectively in an ever‑changing world.

Working at Rowden

We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are!

We also recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. We typically operate a flexible, hybrid‑working model, with an average 3 days in the office each week (dependent on the role). We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexibility, part‑time working requirements and/or workplace adjustments with all our applicants.

Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company, and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible.

Finally, if you feel that you don’t meet all the criteria included above but have transferable skills and relevant experience, we’d still love to hear from you!